Highland Sleeper ECS from Euston

[Essexman]

Does anyone know what time the Highland Sleeper empty stock is booked to be taken out from Euston station?

I have a bit of a dispute with Scotrail about often being hassled to leave the sleepers before the advertised time of 8.00 by which berths have to be vacated. I was not happy to have the attendant knock on the toilet door to hurry me up well before 8.00 last week. I appreciate that staff want to finish, but if 8.00 is the advertised time passengers should be allowed to wait until then if they want.

Reasons I've been told are:

From Customer Services - 'All trains are allocated pathways and must keep to them for the sake of safety and the knock-on effect of timekeeping. Any deviation from the pathway can cause disruption to a number of other services as they wait access to the platform or track, which they have been allocated. Our train must therefore leave as soon as instructed by Network Rail or it may delay other services.'

From Sleeper Attendants -

I must leave the train immediately as it is about to be taken to the sidings (only to find on getting off that there was no locomotive attached)

Euston on radio really pushing now (for train to be clear) - only a few minutes after arrival and 8 minutes BEFORE 8.00

 

[rail-britain]

Complain direct to ScotRail
Cabin vacation times are in the Sleeper Timetable

What day did you travel, as often the London-based Attendants want everyone off the train ASAP so they can get off the train on or before 08:00

 

[Essexman]

Complain direct to ScotRail
Cabin vacation times are in the Sleeper Timetable

What day did you travel, as often the London-based Attendants want everyone off the train ASAP so they can get off the train on or before 08:00

It was last Wednesday morning but has happened a number of times before.
Same thing used to happen at Plymouth when FGW sleeper left one coach there.
I have complained to Scotrail.
Their reply was:

I can appreciate your disappointment when you were asked to vacate the sleeper shortly before 08:00. Primarily Network Rail in conjunction with the Train Operating Company responsible for the station regulates which platform is servicing which train. All trains are allocated pathways and must keep to them for the sake of safety and the knock-on effect of timekeeping. Any deviation from the pathway can cause disruption to a number of other services as they wait access to the platform or track, which they have been allocated. Our train must therefore leave as soon as instructed by Network Rail or it may delay other services.

We expect our staff to be helpful and courteous at all times, especially when dealing with customers and I am sorry that you have had cause to complain. Your comments have been passed to the local manager responsible. Please be assured that, where necessary, appropriate follow-up action will be taken.

I regret that your sleep was disturbed due to rattling noises on the sleeper. Your comments regarding placing a feedback form to report faults on the sleeper have been logged for the attention of the sleeper service managers, and ScotRail will be reviewing all customer feedback on a regular basis, to allow us to identify any areas where there is a clear need for improvement.

Not happy with being fobbed us with them I emaield back & the reply was:

Thank you for your email of 11 April 2011 regarding recent correspondence with our office. I am sorry you were unhappy with our response.

I have re-investigated your case regarding the request for you vacate the Caledonian Sleeper before 08:00 hours on 6 April.

The sleeper services manager has confirm that as London Euston is such a busy station, and the Caledonian Sleeper is 16 carriages long, staff are requested by Staff at Euston to make sure passengers have left their berths by 08:00 hours as there is not much dwell time for trains to sit at platforms. He is aware of the problem and is looking into ways of solving this matter as soon as possible.

So if it wasn't 16 carriages long could I have finished in the toilet in peace?

 

[rail-britain]

It was last Wednesday morning

That would confirm it was a London-based crew then

When I worked on the sleepers it was fairly similar
We used to serve breakfast no later than Milton Keynes and make sure passengers were getting off as we arrived
The main issue was recollecting all the crockery
However as a Scottish-based crew we weren't really in too much of a hurry, as the hotel was next to Euston station, unlike members of the London-based crew who often had at least one hours commuting still to do to get home
Note that the London-based staff tend not to use crockery, in order to save time!
Many of these attendants serve the hot drink in a paper cup, and when you are serving 20 (or more) cabins this can save at least 15 minutes

 

[Orange Box]

Stock is booked out as 5M16 09.27 Euston-Wembley

 

[EltonRoad]

As a fairly frequent user I have noticed that I'm never asked what time I want waking up when going south, but always am when going north. I'm usually woken at 6.45 am, which is ample time to eat breakfast, get changed etc. I once asked what's the latest you'll do, and they said grudgingly 7 o'clock.
Going north once I asked to be woken at 7.15 (going to Fort William) and he looked surprised for a minute, saying I must want to see the scenery! Does no-one else get up at that time?

 

[rail-britain]

Going north once I asked to be woken at 7.15 (going to Fort William) and he looked surprised for a minute, saying I must want to see the scenery! Does no-one else get up at that time?

It is pretty essential to ask what time someone wants woken up going northbound (as some people take forever to get up and risk missing their station)

I asked to be woken at 05:30 on my trip to Fort William, so that I could enjoy
the scenery for the entire section from Glasgow onwards in the Lounge Car
Instead I was woken at 07:30 to find we were already in Crianlarich

 

[pablo]

I arrive in Euston at 09:38 on Mondays and frequently see the Caledonian sleeper going the other way. Sometimes, however, it's already tucked up in Willesden sidings

 

[route:oxford]

Do the sleepers have retention tanks fitted?

 

[rail-britain]

Do the sleepers have retention tanks fitted?

Yes, hence why the Edinburgh sleeper makes its way to/from Polmadie every day
Craigentinny used to have facilities for emptying the tanks

 

[junglejames]

It was last Wednesday morning but has happened a number of times before.
Same thing used to happen at Plymouth when FGW sleeper left one coach there.
I have complained to Scotrail.
Their reply was:

I can appreciate your disappointment when you were asked to vacate the sleeper shortly before 08:00. Primarily Network Rail in conjunction with the Train Operating Company responsible for the station regulates which platform is servicing which train. All trains are allocated pathways and must keep to them for the sake of safety and the knock-on effect of timekeeping. Any deviation from the pathway can cause disruption to a number of other services as they wait access to the platform or track, which they have been allocated. Our train must therefore leave as soon as instructed by Network Rail or it may delay other services.

We expect our staff to be helpful and courteous at all times, especially when dealing with customers and I am sorry that you have had cause to complain. Your comments have been passed to the local manager responsible. Please be assured that, where necessary, appropriate follow-up action will be taken.

I regret that your sleep was disturbed due to rattling noises on the sleeper. Your comments regarding placing a feedback form to report faults on the sleeper have been logged for the attention of the sleeper service managers, and ScotRail will be reviewing all customer feedback on a regular basis, to allow us to identify any areas where there is a clear need for improvement.

Not happy with being fobbed us with them I emaield back & the reply was:

Thank you for your email of 11 April 2011 regarding recent correspondence with our office. I am sorry you were unhappy with our response.

I have re-investigated your case regarding the request for you vacate the Caledonian Sleeper before 08:00 hours on 6 April.

The sleeper services manager has confirm that as London Euston is such a busy station, and the Caledonian Sleeper is 16 carriages long, staff are requested by Staff at Euston to make sure passengers have left their berths by 08:00 hours as there is not much dwell time for trains to sit at platforms. He is aware of the problem and is looking into ways of solving this matter as soon as possible.

So if it wasn't 16 carriages long could I have finished in the toilet in peace?

Reading between the lines, it sounds like they may be agreeing with you in the second email. They repeat the 0800hrs, and say they are aware of the problem (presumably people being rushed).

Certainly they hadnt realised the stupidity of their response in the first email though. Or they were hoping you wouldnt have the sense to see the stupidity in it.
Yes the trains have a booked time to leave, but that booked time is obviously must be after 0800hrs. Silly response.

What i dont like is how early you get called. Are they assuming everybody will go for breakfast? I never go for breakfast, and do not see the point in getting called before 0700, when the train doesnt arrive until 0745.

On the lowland sleeper heading to Edinburgh once, and we got called 20mins before arrival, even though we didnt have to vacate cabins until 0800. Id love to know what they do heading South on the lowland, as the train is due in about 0645 into Euston.

 

[rail-britain]

What i dont like is how early you get called. Are they assuming everybody will go for breakfast? I never go for breakfast, and do not see the point in getting called before 0700, when the train doesnt arrive until 0745.

On the lowland sleeper heading to Edinburgh once, and we got called 20mins before arrival, even though we didnt have to vacate cabins until 0800. Id love to know what they do heading South on the lowland, as the train is due in about 0645 into Euston.

This is due to the risk of the loco ETH power supply being switched off on arrival, which is an ongoing issue
As far as I am aware it is policy to ensure that all passengers are served hot drinks at least 15 minutes prior to arrival at the last station
The staff use fixed points along the route to determine where this should commence
Southbound this used to be Milton Keynes, northbound for Glasgow / Edinburgh it was pretty much as soon as possible after departing Carstairs

 

[Essexman]

I too don't have breakfast on the sleeper apart from northbound Highland as they insist on serving it too early.
Shame Scotrail don't do something about this rather than attempting to fob off people with stupid excuses.

 

[Geezertronic]

I frequently see one sleeper leave Euston for the sidings around 0830 with the other sleeper still in Platform 1. Not sure which one is which though...

 

[junglejames]

I frequently see one sleeper leave Euston for the sidings around 0830 with the other sleeper still in Platform 1. Not sure which one is which though...

Ive only ever noticed the Highland sleeper arrive on platform 1, whereas the lowland sleeper is usually further over. So id guess the one you see on platform 1 is the highland.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Glad I stumbled upon this thread, as mentioned earlier the problems experienced seam to be with London crews and my experiences are similar. Last trip had to remind the attendant to bring coffee, twice! From this you can also doubtless gather that no wakeup call was provided. its a great service but little things like that make it come apart slightly.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Yes, hence why the Edinburgh sleeper makes its way to/from Polmadie every day
Craigentinny used to have facilities for emptying the tanks

minorly off topic but if they are no longer able to empty these, do they stil service XC voyagers? I know VT return to the west..

Back on topic, did you enjoy your days working on the sleaper?

 

[Birdbrain]

I was on the Lowland Sleeper last night southbound and I awoke at 630 finding we were already parked up in Euston. I asked for my drink at 7am but the attendant said latest she could do was 640. Nevertheless I managed to stay aboard till 7.55!

 

[rail-britain]

minorly off topic but if they are no longer able to empty these, do they stil service XC voyagers? I know VT return to the west..

I have confirmed that Craigentinny does indeed still have facilities to drain retention tanks, however sleepers no longer use these instead being taken to Polmadie (so that both the Glasgow and Edinburgh are serviced at the same time)

Voyagers do visit Craigentinny, but for refueling and watering only
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

no wakeup call was provided

I don't really see how that is possible, as breakfast is normally provided so a wakeup call is essential in order to perform this
However, sometimes the service does run short on an attendant, but the staff normally swap and the Steward then serves the First Class cabins (closing the Lounge Car)

 

[junglejames]

I was on the Lowland Sleeper last night southbound and I awoke at 630 finding we were already parked up in Euston. I asked for my drink at 7am but the attendant said latest she could do was 640. Nevertheless I managed to stay aboard till 7.55!

So they never came down offering you your tea/ coffee?
That is poor.

 

[Tom B]

Does the buffet serve breakfast to passengers in seated accommodation? I'd quite happily buy a decent breakfast to eat prior to arriving at Euston. Last time I travelled, the buffet attendant and guard were both fast asleep in the lounge car from Preston onwards!

 

[Whistler40145]

Although 5M16 is booked to depart Euston for Wembley @ 09:27, is this time flexible or has it to stick to that time?

 

[junglejames]

Although 5M16 is booked to depart Euston for Wembley @ 09:27, is this time flexible or has it to stick to that time?

Considering how busy it is around Euston at this time, i doubt it fluctuates much. Theres obviously a reason its kept in Euston until this time, and im guessing its a lack of paths.

 

[Whistler40145]

Virgin services will be pathed on the Fast lines & LM on the Slow lines.

Is the ECS off the Beds pathed via the Slow lines to Wembley or Fast to Willesden Jn thence using the diveunder to reach the Slow lines?

 

[Birdbrain]

So they never came down offering you your tea/ coffee?
That is poor.

Yes, they asked which drink i would like on departure but they said the latest they could bring it to me was 06:40.

 

[junglejames]

Yes, they asked which drink i would like on departure but they said the latest they could bring it to me was 06:40.

Oh right sorry, i misread your original post.

 

[33056]

Virgin services will be pathed on the Fast lines & LM on the Slow lines.

Is the ECS off the Beds pathed via the Slow lines to Wembley or Fast to Willesden Jn thence using the diveunder to reach the Slow lines?

Has to go down the Slow, no paths on the Fast lines. Also, if the diveunder you refer to is the one next to Willesden Brent, it carries the Willesden Relief lines from the down side to the up side and the junction for the Carriage Lines is about half a mile before that!

 

[Whistler40145]

Thanks for that 33056